Tyndale Open Study NotesActs 9

The conversion of Saul of Tarsus on the Damascus road is central to the story in Acts. Luke tells the story three times (also 22:1–21; 26:1–29). Paul (Saul) mentions this experience several times in his letters (1 Corinthians 15:8–10; Galatians 1:11–17; Philippians 3:4–11; see 1 Timothy 1:12–17). Saul’s conversion was his call as a prophet and commission as an apostle (Acts 9:15; 22:15, 21; 26:15–18). No one is beyond God's power to reach, save, and use for holy purposes. Nothing is impossible with God (Luke 1:37). God prepared Paul through his training, childhood, and experience to play a unique role in proclaiming the gospel to the wider world as the “apostle to the Gentiles” (Romans 11:13; see 1 Corinthians 15:9; 2 Corinthians 12:11–12; Galatians 1:1; Ephesians 3:8).

• A synagogue (Greek sunagōgē, meaning “gathering place”) was a local Jewish meeting place. After the exile to Babylon, Jewish people began to meet in synagogues in their towns. These places became centers for teaching and worship. After Israel returned from exile in Babylon, Jews began using synagogues for instruction and worship.

  In the synagogue, people read from the Law and the Prophets. Leaders explained the meaning of the Scriptures. The people also prayed and gave praise and thanks to God (see 13:15; 15:21; Nehemiah 9:5; Matthew 6:5; Luke 4:16–21). Jesus attended, taught, preached, and performed miracles in synagogues (Matthew 12:9–10; Mark 1:21, 39; Luke 4:16; 13:10–13; John 6:59; 18:20). His apostles did as well (see Acts 9:20; 13:5, 14; 14:1; 17:1, 10, 17; 18:4, 19, 26).

• Damascus: Damascus, the capital of Syria, was an important center with a long history. It was the nearest major city outside of Palestine. It took four to six days to travel from Jerusalem to Damascus. This emphasizes Saul’s determination (9:1–5; see 22:4–8; 26:9–15).

• the Way: The term the Way in the book of Acts refers to Christianity (see 19:9, 23; 24:14, 22). It is “the way of God” that teaches people “the way of salvation” (18:26; 16:17). See also John 14:6; 2 Peter 2:2.

• Ananias: See also 22:12. Ananias was a common name (consider the husband of Sapphira, 5:1, and the Jewish high priest [AD 47–59], 23:2).

• a vision: See “Visions” Theme Note.

This man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles: In God’s plan to spread the good news, the next step was to reach the Gentiles, that is, people from other nations (see 1:8; compare chapters 10–11).

Saul of Tarsus, also called Paul, was the one God chose for this task. God sent him to bring the message about Jesus to Gentiles, to kings, and also to the people of Israel.

The rest of the book of Acts shows how Paul faithfully carried out this mission from God (for example, 26:19–23).

As Jesus predicted, Paul suffered greatly for his faith (see 2 Corinthians 11:23–27; see Acts 13:45; 14:19; 16:22–27; 21:30–31; 26:21; 2 Timothy 1:11–12).

God gave Ananias a special role. He was to welcome Saul into the Christian community.

Ananias began by placing his hands on Saul. Through this act, Saul was healed and filled with the Holy Spirit.

Saul promptly began to proclaim Jesus: Saul's encounter with the heavenly Christ was genuine, shown by his enthusiastic and bold preaching. His direct declaration surprised many because he had previously caused great harm to the followers of Jesus in Jerusalem.

The people who heard Saul were confused and surprised. Even so, Saul clearly showed from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Messiah. His arguments were so strong that the Jews in Damascus who did not believe could not answer him.

This continued for some time (see Galatians 1:18). The people who heard Saul were confused and surprised. Even so, Saul clearly showed from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Messiah. His arguments were so strong that the Jews in Damascus who did not believe could not answer him.

This continued for some time in 2 Corinthians 11:32–33.

When Saul arrived in Jerusalem: The believers did not trust him at first. This was understandable. He had recently attacked and imprisoned Christians (8:3; 9:1, 13; 22:3, 4; 26:9–11).

Barnabas helped him. Barnabas, whose name means “Son of Encouragement” (4:36), brought Saul to the apostles. He told them how Saul had seen the Lord on the road to Damascus. He also explained how Saul had preached boldly in the name of Jesus there.

Barnabas convinced the apostles that Saul’s conversion was real. So Saul stayed with them in Jerusalem. There, he continued to preach boldly about the Lord.

Paul later spoke about this visit in Galatians 1:18–19.

Once again, Saul debated with some Greek-speaking Jews. He spoke boldly and explained why Jesus is the Messiah.

Again, some people became angry and made a plan to kill him (see 9:22–24).

After the Christians heard about the plot, they sent Saul away again (see 9:25). This time he went to Tarsus, his hometown, the capital of Cilicia (see 21:39; 22:3; 23:34; compare Galatians 1:21).

• This verse is one of several in Acts that describe how the church grew in numbers and in faithfulness (see also 2:41; 4:4; 5:14; 6:1, 7; 12:24; 21:20).

• The first Christians were learning an important truth: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.” This means that true knowledge starts with honoring and respecting God (Proverbs 1:7; 9:10; compare Job 28:28; Psalm 111:10; Ecclesiastes 12:13; see Luke 7:16).

  As they learned to honor God, they grew stronger in their faith. Their reverence for the Lord helped the church grow (compare Acts 2:43; 19:17).

• These verses describe Peter’s traveling ministry in Judea, especially in towns along the seacoast. As he traveled, God gave him power to do miracles. Peter healed a man named Aeneas and raised a woman named Dorcas from the dead.

  Jesus had promised that his disciples would do such works (John 14:12).

• Luke often tells stories in pairs. For example, he tells of a man being healed and then a woman being healed (see Luke 13:10–17; 14:1–6). In this passage, Peter heals both a man and a woman.

  The people in that area were deeply affected by these miracles. Many people turned to the Lord and believed (Acts 9:35, 42).

stayed for several days in Joppa with a tanner named Simon: A tanner worked with animal skins to make leather. This job required contact with dead animals.

Many Jews considered this kind of work unclean. Because Peter stayed in the home of a tanner, it may show that he was not strict about some Jewish traditions (see Galatians 2:11–14).